AVweb

[JGP] The UK's Hypersonic Airplane Design
Reaction Engines of Oxford, United Kingdom, says its A2 design could carry 300 passengers at close to 4,000 miles per hour, flying from Belgium to Australia in about five hours ... 25 years from now. "Our work shows it is possible, technically. Now it's up to the world to decide if it wants it," Reaction's head, Alan Bond, told CanadianContent.net. The 470-foot long Mach 5 aircraft would stretch more than twice the length of the Airbus A380 and have a range of more than 12,400 miles cruising within the earth's atmosphere. Passengers could expect to pay less than $7,000 for the honor of riding the windowless beast, according to Reaction. And that cost is not tied to the cost of fossil fuels, as the A2's engines will burn liquid hydrogen the cost of which Reaction hopes will decline in coming years. Reaction says the aircraft would escape earshot at .9 Mach before lighting it up over the North Pole and heading over the Pacific at Mach

[JGP] Senators Block President's FAA Nominee
Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, both Democrats representing New Jersey, announced Thursday they would block President Bush's nomination of Robert Sturgell from reaching the Senate floor for a vote, according to the Associated Press. The two Senators based their stand on flight delays originating in east coast airspace and Sturgell's actions as acting administrator to alleviate those delays. The government has announced limits for arrivals and departures at New York area airports and is working on airspace redesigns that often prove unpopular with communities worried their neighborhoods will be negatively impacted by increased noise from rerouted aircraft. "It's time for President Bush to nominate an administrator who solves transportation problems, rather than creating more of them," Lautenberg told AP.

[JGP] FAA Modernization At What Cost?
The total cost of a NextGen system empowering pilots with satellite-based air traffic control information is expected by the FAA to cost up to $22 billion, but that figure may be very conservative. At least one analyst, Transportation Department Inspector General Calvin L. Scovel III, forecasts that software development alone will push costs over $50 billion. Scovel aired his opinion during a House hearing on the FAA's 2009 proposed budget, and qualified them by saying that costs "remain uncertain." House aviation subcommittee members requested the FAA to review its figures and respond to Scovel's estimate. The FAA's current funding will expire February, 29, and the Bush administration's budget proposal for 2009 would offer a $688 million investment in NextGen technology.

[JGP] Fatal Crash-Plane's Pilot Jailed
He flew his aircraft into power lines before it crashed into the Wisconsin River, killing his passenger as her family watched in August of 2004 -- now he's going to jail. Mark Strub was sentenced to six months in jail for his role as pilot, but much of that time may be spent in community service and work release. Kimberly Reed, 39 was killed during the crash at a Children's Miracle Network Balloon Rally. Strub was faulted for flying too low and operating his aircraft in a careless manner. Beyond jail and public service, Strub has been ordered by the court to pay for and participate in mediation counseling that would bring the surviving family members together with him, if they agree to it. Strub has also been ordered to write a letter of apology

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Equipment failure disrupts flight service
Flight service's weather briefing hotline broke down for about 20 minutes on Feb. 6, making it impossible for pilots nationwide to contact FSS through 800/WX-BRIEF.

Don't skimp on prepurchase inspections
Most people wouldn't buy a house without a professional inspection, so why buy an airplane without one? Yes, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for a thorough prepurchase inspection on a piston single-engine airplane--more for more complex aircraft--but it's worth every penny in peace of mind and trouble saved down the road.

German airport may face same fate as Meigs
In a situation reminiscent of Mayor Richard Daley's closure of Chicago's Meigs Field, the city government of Berlin has moved forward with plans to close Tempelhof, the city's historic downtown airport. The airport could close as early as Oct. 31, 2008.

Icing products get better with help from space
The slippery business of assessing current and future icing conditions should be improving as scientists hone in on what is actually occurring in the atmosphere.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

Defaced Chapter Building Gets Fresh Coat of Paint
Several EAA Chapter 172 members got together Saturday to repaint the front of their clubhouse that was defaced by vandals on January 28.

Living Life on the 'Ragged Edge'
When she was 6 years-old, Jill Long was at an air show and remembers telling her mother that someday she would perform in the sky.

EAA Participates in Chapter 1 'Founders Night'
EAA's Earl Lawrence, Elissa Lines, and Lee Siudzinksi traveled to Flabob Airport in Riverside, California, to attend Saturday's EAA Chapter 1 Founders Night celebration.

Disabled Pilot Plans to Pass Along 'Fantastic Gift' to Others
Sean O'Donnell (EAA 831911) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became the second Able Flight scholarship recipient to earn a sport pilot certificate when he passed his checkride on opening day of EAA AirVenture last year.

Aero-News

Aero-TV: The Gobosh G700S Brings New Meaning To The Word 'Sporty'
This Two Place SportPlane Performs As Well As It Looks! The Gobosh G700S light sport aircraft is a collaboration between Gobosh Aviation and the design efforts of Tomasz Antoniewski and Aero -- familiar names in aviation since 1990. Based in Poland, Aero holds Type Certificates for three different aircraft designs -- and the G-700S, a light sport variant of the Aero AT-3, is at the top of the ladder. The American-market LSA is manufactured on the same production line that produces certified aircraft.

PA-28 Goes Into Water On Takeoff From SGJ
Investigator Says Student Took Off From Wrong Runway A student pilot walked away unhurt Wednesday night when a Piper PA-28-161 Warrior ran off the end of a runway at St. Augustine Airport (SGJ).

Senators Block Sturgell Nomination For FAA Administrator
New Jersey Lawmakers Upset With Airspace Changes Two New Jersey Senators have blocked the nomination of Robert Sturgell for the position of FAA Administrator, saying the government has mishandled the contentious issue of flight delays along the East Coast.

Contractor Pleads Guilty To Bribing FAA Employee
Faces 45 Years In Prison For 2003 Payments Sentencing is scheduled for May 12 in the case of a former FAA contractor charged with bribing an FAA employee.

Marine One Lands at Williamson County Airport (KMWA)

and fuels up at Aeroflite

Marion, IL
Wed, Feb 06, 2008

Steve Schlager noted a helicopter hovering at the airport and determined it was the Presidents Chopper.

This was verified and Bob Gulledge took this photo after a high-speed drive from Marion to the airport....

Steelwater Now Offers RSS/XML Feeds

For Use With Your Favorite Reader or Website

Anna, IL
Tue, Jan 15, 2008

Steelwater Solutions Corporation offers the following RSS/XML feeds, updated hourly, for your convenience.

News
http://feeds.feedburner.com/sscnews

Events
http://feeds.feedburner.com/sscevents

Classifieds
http://feeds.feedburner.com/sscclassifieds

AOPA Supports New Routes Around St. Louis

Frederick, MD
Fri, Jan 11, 2008

AOPA has filed comments supporting an FAA plan to create two new low-altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes around the congested Class B airspace surrounding St. Louis.

Through an agreement between Kansas City Center and St. Louis Approach, pilots already have been vectored onto the new routes, T-251 and T-272.

Once all comments have been reviewed and the FAA has made a decision, the routes could be charted in as little as four months, allowing pilots to request the T-routes as part of their flight plans.

AOPA has supported T-routes since 2000 as a means to help general aviation traffic avoid congestion in and around Class B airspace.

The routes are currently used in North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and California, and they are in development in Atlanta.

Sporty's Hot Dog Fly-In

Batavia, OH
Sat, Feb 09, 2008 · 12:00pm-2:00pm

A Sporty's Hot Dog Fly-In takes place every Saturday at Clermont County (I69).

Free hot dogs from noon until 2 p.m.

Contact Jason Pruitt at (513) 735-9500.

Quad City Challenger Presentation

Carbondale, IL
Mon, Feb 11, 2008 · 7:00pm~9:00pm

This presentation is brought to you by Carbondale's Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 277.


Quad City Challenger Website

For Sale

Ultralight Headset and RAD Intercom

Goreville, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

Designed for high noise environments.

• separate pilot and co-pilot volume controls
• adapter that can be used with handheld radios and PTT switch
• soft case that Velcro's on to airframe
• operates on external 12V power cord or internal 9V battery
• instruction sheet and adapter diagram

Original cost over $500, will sell for $250. Less than half cost. Have two and don't need this one. Vic Vicari, (618) 995-1662, Cell (618) 534-4109.

Seeking Employment

Electronic Engineer/Commercial Pilot

Anna, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Southeast Missouri.

24+ years of hardware, firmware, and software experience in the electronics sector.

500+ "pilot in command" (PIC) hours, over an 18 year span, in the aviation sector.

8 years of college education and over 14 years of on-the-job experience, including:

• B.S. Electronic Engineering Technology
• A.A.S. Avionic Systems
• Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating (ASEL)
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
• FCC General Radio Telephone Operators License (GROL)
• 14 years Electronic Design Engineering for RF Telemetry Company

Motivated, willing, and able! Contact:

Robert D. Carter
Steelwater Solutions Corporation
2700 Campground Road
Anna, IL 62906-3315

(618) 833-6891 phone
(618) 534-5387 cell
(866) 205-6250 fax
rcarter@steelwater.com email
www.steelwater.com website

DOWNLOAD RESUME

Services Offered

Pilot Ground Schools

Carterville, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

Prepare for your FAA Written Test or update your Instrument Proficiency with the following courses:

• Private Pilot Ground School (45 hours)
• Instrument Rating Ground School (45 hours)
• Instrument Proficiency Training (FAA aproved PCATD)

Todd Greiner, CFII/AGI
(618) 889-2517
greiner@midamer.net

For Sale or Partnership

1998 Cessna 182S Skylane

Hurst, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

• 1900 TT Since New E/AF and P
• 2 KX 155A Nav/Coms
• KMA26 Audio w 4P I/C
• KT76C Transponder
• KR87 Digital ADF
• KLN 89B GPS
• KAP 140 Auto Pilot
• Wing Tip Strobes
• Vent System
• Fire Wall Replaced 2006
• Gray Leather
• Exc Condition
• White with Blue and Gold Accent
• 7.5/10
• $135,000
• Will consider partner(s)

Contact: Vernon E. Dury II, Hurst, IL, (618) 987-2800